Interview: 3-Star 2022 All-State Arizona OG Parker Brailsford Lining Up Recruiting Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
For football fans who like watching offensive linemen mix it up in the trenches, Class of 2022 guard Parker Brailsford is the man for you. The 6-3, 265-pound, lineman has the mix of size, foot and hand speed with the want to put defenders in the dirt. At the completion of Saguaro’s 2020 season, the three-star recruit earned first team 5A All-State and second team All-Region. Along with the postseason honors have come a slew of offers. Those offers and continuous contacts by college coaches are about to pay off in visits this summer.
*Click the link for the Jan. 2021 RNG interview with Parker Brailsford
Interview
Parker, fill us in, how are your offseason workouts coming along?
They are good. I just hit 335 on bench last week. On the field, we’ve been going over plays and getting used to them.
With your run blocking, what are some of the drills that you’ve been doing to tighten up that part of your game?
Mainly board work, working on my steps – making sure I am stepping where I need to step, and having good splits. One drill I am doing is with the medicine ball and working with our get offs.
Pass protection at Saguaro is equally important. From your footwork to your hands, what have you been doing to sharpen your technique?
With my pass protection, I am working on being more patient and being more vertical than outwards, especially with attacking. I am trying to let everything unfold in front of me.
You touched on this a minute ago talking about your bench press, but going deeper. What other lifts have you been doing to add more strength this spring?
Squats, clean, and bench, those are the main lifts.
Have you maxed out on any of your other lifts recently?
No. My last squat max was in February, that was 555 pounds.
Impressive.
Thank you.
To improve upon your footspeed, what drills are you doing?
Ladders, hurdles, and stuff like that. Some cone drills, 5-10-5, and three-cone drills too.
Every year Saguaro heads to California for a team camp. Are you guys coming west again this summer ahead of the 2021 season?
I think so, but it might not be at Cal Lutheran. If we go, I believe it will be sometime in late July.
Since we talked a couple of months ago, your recruiting has taken off. How many offers do you have now?
I have 15 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Washington State and Hawaii.
Brailsford’s Offer Sheet: Air Force, Arizona, Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Kansas State, Michigan State, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, USC, and Washington State
What are the college coaches telling you they like about your skills when they offer you?
That I am quick and versatile, those are the main two. They tell me that I look strong out there and that I have good feet.
Which other programs are showing interest?
Washington, UCLA is sending me mail and so has Cal.
Are you taking any visits this summer?
I want to go see Arizona, Washington State, and Colorado. I may also go to Oregon State and Boise, but nothing is set in stone.
Parker, it was great catching up with you today. Wishing you success with all your upcoming visits.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Brailsford; Parker Brailsford